House & Home

attic C2

/ˈætɪk/ of or relating to Attica or its inhabitants or to the dialect spoken in Athens in classical times M S

sip C2

/sɪp/ drink in sips M S

parlor C2

/ˈpɑɹlɚ/ a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax M S

loft C2

/lɔft/ a room or open space directly beneath a roof, often used for storage M S

crib C2

/kɹɪb/ a card game, usually for two players, in which each player is dealt six cards and discards one or two M S

cradle C2

/ˈkɹeɪdəl/ a small bed for a baby, often one that can rock M S

lunar C2

/ˈlunɚ/ of or relating to or associated with the moon M S

knob C2

/nɑb/ a rounded handle on a door, drawer, lid, or similar object M S

chateau C2

/ʃæˈtoʊ/ Alternative spelling of château. M S

davenport C2

/ˈdævɪnˌpɔɹt/ a large sofa usually convertible into a bed M S

purposely C2

/ˈpɝpəsli/ On purpose; intentionally. M S

ventilator C2

/ˈvɛntɪleɪtə/ a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure M S

candlelight C2

/ˈkændllaɪt/ the soft light produced by one or more burning candles M S

castor C2

/ˈkæstɚ/ historical: a small table container or a stand holding cruets and shakers for condiments M S

disobedience C2

/ˌdɪsəˈbiːdiːəns/ Refusal to obey. M S

homestead C2

/ˈhoʊmˌstɛd/ A house and the land and buildings around it, especially on a farm. M S

predatory C2

/ˈpɹɛdəˌtɔɹi/ living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain M S

pulpit C2

/ˈpʊlpɪt/ A raised platform in a church, sometimes enclosed, where the minister or preacher stands when giving the sermon; also, the lectern on such a platform. M S

derelict C2

/ˈdɛɹəˌlɪk(t)/ Left empty and falling apart from neglect; run-down. M S

cesspool C2

/ˈsɛsˌpuːl/ an underground pit or sealed chamber used to collect sewage and waste water M S

boudoir C2

/buˈdwɑɹ/ A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom. M S

housemaid C2

/ˈhaʊsˌmeɪd/ A female domestic worker responsible for cleaning a house. M S

sanctum C2

/ˈsæŋktəm/ a private room or retreat where someone can work or be undisturbed M S

rancho C2

/ˈɹɑːnt͡ʃoʊ/ a simple rural hut or shelter, especially one used by herders or farm workers in Spanish America M S

poach C2

/ˈpoʊt͡ʃ/ cook in a simmering liquid M S

mantel C2

/ˈmæn.təl/ a shelf above a fireplace M S

trapdoor C2

/ˈtræpˌdɔr/ a hinged or sliding door set into a floor, ceiling, or stage M S

matchbox C2

/ˈmætʃˌbɑːks/ a small box made to hold matches, often with a rough striking surface on one side M S

mantelpiece C2

/ˈmæntlpiːs/ A shelf that is affixed to the wall above a fireplace. M S

drafty C2

/ˈdræf.ti/ allowing uncomfortable currents of cold air to enter through gaps or poor sealing M S

sideboard C2

/ˈsaɪd.bɔːrd/ a low cabinet used in a dining room for storing tableware and serving food M S

larder C2

/ˈlɑɹ.dɚ/ a cool room or cupboard used for storing food M S

alcove C2

/ˈæl.koʊv/ a small recessed area opening from a larger room or other interior space M S

drainpipe C2

/ˈdreɪnˌpaɪp/ a pipe that carries rainwater, wastewater, or another liquid away M S

awning C2

/ˈɔnɪŋ/ a sheet of canvas or other material extended over a window, doorway, deck, or outdoor area to provide shelter from sun or rain M S

habitation C2

/ˌhæb.ɪˈtæɪ.ʃən/ The state of people living in a place. M S

clothesline C2

/ˈkloʊðzˌlaɪn/ a rope, cord, or wire from which washed clothes are hung to dry M S

summerhouse C2

/ˈsʌmərˌhaʊs/ a small garden building used for sitting or relaxing in warm weather M S

concoct C2

/kənˈkɒkt/ to prepare or cook by mixing ingredients M S

vesta C2

/ˈves.tə/ historical: a short friction match, especially one made with a wax-coated stem M S

glassware C2

/ˈɡlæsˌwɛr/ articles made of glass, especially drinking glasses, jugs, and other tableware M S

cloistered C2

/ˈklɔɪstɝd/ Kept away from the wider world and its difficulties; sheltered M S

transcribe C2

/trænˈskɹaɪb/ to rewrite in a different script or handwriting M S

hob C2

/hɑb/ the flat cooking surface of a stove, especially one containing burners or hotplates M S

bassinet C2

/ˌbæs.ɪˈnɛt/ a small bed for a newborn baby, traditionally basket-shaped and sometimes fitted with a hood M S

cheval C2

/ʃəˈvæl/ a supporting frame, especially a frame holding a full-length mirror that can be tilted; also short for cheval glass M S

boardinghouse C2

/ˈbɔrdɪŋˌhaʊs/ a private house that provides rooms and regular meals to paying residents M S

amphitheatre C2

/ˈæm.pəˌθi.(j)ə.tɚ/ An open, outdoor theatre (which may be a theatre in the round, or have a stage with seating on only one side), especially one from the classical period of ancient Greece or Rome, or a modern venue of similar design. M S

colander C2

/ˈkɑləndɚ/ A bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes in it used for draining food that has been cooking in water, such as pasta. M S

windowless C2

/ˈwɪndoʊləs/ Having no windows, especially no external windows. M S

eave C2

/iːv/ the lower edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall of a building M S

footstool C2

/ˈfʊtˌstuːl/ a low stool on which a seated person rests the feet M S

redd C2

/rɛd/ Scottish and northern English dialect, usually redd up: to put in order; tidy or clear M S

bedclothes C2

/ˈbɛdˌkloʊðz/ sheets, blankets, quilts, and other coverings used on a bed M S

lean-to C2

/ˈliːn.tuː/ a simple shelter or extension with a roof that slopes in one direction, often built against another structure M S

rathole C2

/ˈrætˌhoʊl/ a burrow, entrance, or hole made or used by a rat M S

schoolroom C2

/ˈskuːlˌruːm/ a room in a school where lessons take place M S

bric-a-brac C2

/ˈbrɪk.əˌbræk/ a collection of small decorative objects, curios, and ornaments, usually of little practical or monetary value M S

flagon C2

/ˈfleɪ̯ɡ(ə)n/ a large metal or pottery vessel with a handle and spout M S

unmolested C2

/ˌənməˈlɛstɪd/ Not bothered, disturbed, or attacked. M S

domesticity C2

/ˌdoʊˌmɛˈstɪsəti/ Home life and the everyday activities of running a household. M S

remittance C2

/ɹɪˈmɪtəns/ A sum of money sent to someone, especially as payment. M S

antechamber C2

/ˈæn.tiˌtʃeɪm.bɚ/ a small outer room leading into a larger or more important room, often used for waiting M S

audibly C2

/ˈɑːdəbli/ in an audible manner M S

indefinable C2

/ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/ defying expression or description M S

stovepipe C2

/ˈstoʊvˌpaɪp/ a metal pipe that carries smoke and gases from a stove to a chimney or flue M S

latchkey C2

/ˈlætʃˌki/ a key used to open the latch of an outside door M S

tinderbox C2

/ˈtɪndɚˌbɑːks/ a small box holding tinder and usually a flint and steel, formerly used for starting fires M S

sconce C2

/skɑns/ a decorative wall bracket that holds a candle, lamp, or other light M S

pergola C2

/ˈpɝː.ɡə.lə/ an outdoor framework of posts and crossbeams, often supporting climbing plants and providing partial shade M S

pouf C2

/puːf/ a low, firm, cushioned seat without a back or arms, also used as a footstool M S

backstairs C2

/ˈbækˌstɛrz/ a secondary staircase at the rear of a building, traditionally used by servants or tradespeople M S

bedstead C2

/ˈbɛdˌstɛd/ the rigid frame that supports a bed, excluding its mattress and bedding M S

coverlet C2

/ˈkʌvɚlɪt/ a decorative or light bed covering, often quilted M S

housetop C2

/ˈhaʊsˌtɑp/ the roof or uppermost part of a house M S

trivet C2

/ˈtrɪv.ɪt/ a small stand or heat-resistant mat placed under a hot dish or pan to protect a table or work surface M S

hearthrug C2

/ˈhɑrθˌrʌɡ/ a rug placed on the hearth or in front of a fireplace M S

imaginatively C2

/ˌɪˈmædʒənəˌtɪvˌliː/ with imagination M S

delf C2

/delf/ historical and dialectal: Delftware or other glazed earthenware, especially plates, dishes, and tea things M S

washstand C2

/ˈwɑʃˌstænd/ a piece of furniture designed to hold a basin, pitcher, and other articles for washing M S

cruse C2

/kruːs/ a small earthenware vessel for holding liquids, especially oil or water M S

snuffer C2

/ˈsnʌfɚ/ a small cone or bell on a handle used to extinguish a candle flame M S

impracticable C2

/ˌɪmˈpræktɪkəbəl/ not capable of being carried out or put into practice M S

doorpost C2

/ˈdɔrˌpoʊst/ Either of the upright posts on either side of a door, which together support a lintel; doorjamb. M S

escritoire C2

/ˌɛskrɪˈtwɑr/ a writing desk, especially one with a hinged panel that opens to form the writing surface M S

ewer C2

/ˈju.ɚ/ a wide-mouthed jug with a handle and spout, traditionally used for holding and pouring water M S

wainscot C2

/ˈweɪnˌskɑt/ paneling, traditionally wooden, covering the lower part of an interior wall M S

fanlight C2

/ˈfænˌlaɪt/ a small window above a door or another window, traditionally semicircular with fan-shaped glazing bars M S

dilapidation C2

/dəˌlæp.əˈdeɪ.ʃən/ a state of deterioration due to old age or long use M S

dooryard C2

/ˈdɔɹˌjɑɹd/ chiefly US or historical: the yard or open ground immediately outside a house door M S

confluent C2

/ˈkɑn.flu.ənt/ Converging, merging or flowing together into one. M S

hearthstone C2

/ˈhɑɹθˌstoʊn/ a flat stone forming part or all of a hearth M S

box room C2

/ˈbɑks ˌɹum/ a small room used for storing boxes, luggage, and other household items, especially in a British home M S

fireless C2

/ˈfaɪɚləs/ having no fire burning, or operating without an open flame M S

counterpane C2

/ˈkaʊntərpeɪn/ a decorative cover spread over the top of a bed; a bedspread M S

andiron C2

/ˈændˌaɪɚn/ one of a pair of metal supports used to hold burning logs above the hearth of a fireplace M S